Although Joey Bart was anticipated to play a significant role in the Giants’ catching rotation this season, the rise of top prospect Patrick Bailey and Rule 5 Draft pick Blake Sabol caused him to spend the majority of the campaign at Triple-A Sacramento.
Bart, 26, was selected for the Giants Opening Day roster, but he only made 26 appearances before being placed on the injured list on May 19 due to a strain in his left groyne. By the time he recovered, Bailey—a Gold Glove-caliber defender who now seems to be San Francisco’s new catcher of the future—had surpassed him in the depth chart.
Before flying red-eye to Chicago on Wednesday morning to relieve Bailey, who was placed on the seven-day injured list due to a concussion, Bart spent almost four months in the Minor Leagues.
Given that Bailey is anticipated to be out for at least a week, Bart will have another opportunity to come in and support the Giants as they near the playoffs. Re-acquainted with the club’s pitching staff over the previous few days, he has started the last two games at bat and threw out Sean Bouchard on an attempted steal of second base in Friday’s 9-8 comeback victory over the Rockies at Oracle Park.
Bart remarked on Friday, “It’s been a difficult team to break through.” “There are plenty talented players. That’s my circumstance as it stands. You have two options: fight it or turn around. I’ve been enjoying coming here every day to fight it. I have, genuinely. Baseball is played. My focus has been on coming out, having fun, getting down, and just being there for my boys every day. Good things will come to those that always move in the right direction.
